You are here: Home / Archives for Motivational

Alive In Your Mind

June 5, 2013
Main Street USA

Main Street USA at Magic Kingdom

Why do some people make changes in their lives while others don’t? One of the key reasons is those that change can see the change in their mind before it happens.  If there is something you want you have to see that you already have it in your imagination.

Want to own a restaurant?  See it in your mind so vividly that you can see the menu and smell the food.  See the layout of your place and the guests sitting in at their table enjoying their food.  Revisit this in your mind over and over to where it becomes so real for you that you.  When you do this opportunities show up and when you grab them your dreams become realities.

One of the most notable imaginations of the 1900s was Walt Disney.  In the book “How to Be Like Walt” Pat Williams says this on page 84:

Though Walt envisioned Walt Disney World in Florida, he died before it was built.  On opening day in 1971, almost five years after his death, someone commented to Mike Vance, creative director of Walt Disney Studios,”Isn’t it to bad Walt Disney didn’t live to see this?”

“He did see it,” Vance replied simply.  “That’s why it’s here.”

See yourself where you want to be and take the journey as life allows you.  It may take some time but you can get there.

 

Filed Under: Business, Creativity, Motivational, People Tagged With: , , , , ,

I Dare You

May 22, 2013
Jason Kincaid

Professional wrestler Jason Kincaid on top of the world doing a handstand overlooking a deep gorge.  Photo by Will Trotter.  Used with permission.

This week I wanted to share a small piece from the book “I Dare You” by William H. Danforth.  I hope it means something to you.

I loved it the first time I heard these lines.  We were digging through a bin of books and came across a small leather-bound red one with “I Dare You” in silver ink on the cover.  I dare you, after reading this, to go do amazing things for other people.

I DARE YOU!

IT IS DIFFICULT to put a challenge on paper. I would rather look you straight in the eye and say, “I dare you!” In my mind that’s exactly what I am doing. I am on one side of a table. You are on the other. I am looking across and saying “I dare you!”

I Dare You, young man, you who come from a home of poverty—I dare you to have the qualities of a Lincoln.

I Dare You, heir of wealth and proud ancestry, with your generations of worthy stock, your traditions of leadership—I dare you to achieve something that will make the future point to you with even more pride than the present is pointing to those who have gone before you.

I Dare You, young mother, to make your life a masterpiece upon which that little family of yours can build. Strong women bring forth strong men.

I Dare You. boys and girls, to make life obey you, not you it. It is only a shallow dare to do the foolish things. I dare you to do the uplifting, courageous things.

I Dare You, young executive, to shoulder more responsibility joyously, to launch out into the deep, to build magnificently.

I Dare You, young author, to win the Nobel prize.

I Dare You, young researcher, to become a Microbe Hunter.

I Dare You, boy on the farm, to become a Master Farmer—A Hunger Fighter.

I Dare You, man of affairs, to have a “Magnificent Obsession.”

I Dare You, Grandfather, with your roots deep in the soil and your head above the crowd, catching the rays of the sun, to plan a daring program to crown the years of your life.

I Dare You, who think life is humdrum, to become involved. I dare you who are weak to be strong; you who are dull to be sparkling; you who are slaves to be kings.

I Dare You, whoever you are, to share with others the fruits of your daring. Catch a passion for helping others and a richer life will come back to you!

William H Danforth

 

Filed Under: Business, Leadership, Life Coaching, Motivational, People Tagged With: , , , , ,

Change Starts Within

May 8, 2013
What change do you want to see in the world?

Image courtesy of Dreamfish.

You can only control yourself.  No matter how much you want to change other people you have no control over them – you are not their keeper.  But if you really want to change the world look within yourself.  I can’t say it any better than this:

“When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country. But it too seemed immovable. As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me. But alas they would have none of it. And now as I realize as I lie on my deathbed, if I had only changed myself first, then by example I would have changed my family. From their inspiration and encouragement I would have been able to better my country and who knows, I might have even changed the world.”

That inscription is on a tomb dated 1100 A.D. in Westminster Abbey.  I think the person who created it sums it up perfectly.
Filed Under: Life Coaching, Motivational Tagged With: , , , ,

Impact

April 10, 2013
Server

Photo courtesy of torbakhopper.

What impact do you have on people in your day to day life?

Think about it for a second. You directly and indirectly influence, in some way, hundreds if not thousands of people’s lives each and every day.  It doesn’t matter what you do assuming you leave the house or pick up the phone.

Take for example the server in the picture.  He is providing a meal to the patrons which gives them the energy to go out and impact their hundreds of lives.  By working in the restaurant he providing a service to a paying customer which provides a job to cooks, cashiers, dish washers, and in the end turns a profit for the owner.  By working, the server is also providing a life for himself and possibly a family which in turn impacts more people.  This is a very shortened example and we could go on and on how this one server being a host to this one table alone has an effect on hundreds of people.

Now, I ask the question again, what impact do you have on people your day to day life?  Are you in a drive thru window handing out food?  If so, congratulations.  You are providing meal time with that family, helping a single mom who is working two jobs do one less thing that night, and you are impacting everyone you are working with.

Be proud of the impact you make and stand tall – you helped a lot of people today.

Filed Under: Customer Service, Life Coaching, Motivational, People Tagged With: , , ,

Inspiration In Front of Adversity

March 13, 2013

Kristian AndersonRecently I ran across a YouTube video that had a young man, Kristian Anderson, doing a video for his wife’s surprise birthday party.  It was an emotional video by itself.  Mention the fact that Kristian had terminal cancer when he filmed it and it takes on a whole new level.

After the video I picked up a copy of his book (see the review here) about his journey.  His willingness to share about the condition and what he was going through was inspirational and can give hope to many others in similar situations.

In the book Kristian talks about going to the pharmacy and standing in line where a woman recognized him because he was on “Oprah” some time before.  Let me put in his own words:

“I arrived at the pharmacy and as I am standing in line a young woman approached me and, with an accent, proceeded to very timidly ask if I was “from Oprah”. I told her that I was and she smiled an enormous smile. She told me she had multiple sclerosis and that for a long time she had been battling serious depression. She told me that after seeing our story on the Oprah show she was so deeply moved and encouraged… and her depression left her. She then thanked me for my courage and for helping her… told me that without me she would still be suffering depression.” (link)

Kristian was battling cancer which is a horrid disease yet there was some light that he was able to shed for other people.  If we can spread inspiration in front of adversity then why can’t we do it when times are good?

Some time in the next seven days find a way to spread some light into someone’s life who is having a rough time.  Take them dinner, talk to them, or give them an inspiring book – just do something to shed some light.

Filed Under: Motivational, People Tagged With: , , , , ,

Ask For More

February 13, 2013
The Way I See It - Starbucks Cup

Photo Courtesy of Linda Lane.

Want more from life? All you have to do is ask. Ask more of yourself and set your expectations higher. You might call this setting a goal but I think in this is a bit different. This is expecting more out of yourself.

Things will never just come to you. You have to want them, expect them, and believe that they are going to come to you. Napoleon Hill says that “No one is ready for a thing until he believes he can acquire it.” In other words, you have to have the confidence in yourself.

Whether it is money, fame, or the desire to change the world it all starts with asking yourself for more. I close with this poem by Jessie B. Rittenhouse (from the book “The Door of Dreams”, 1918).

My Wage
“I bargained with Life for a penny,
And Life would pay no more,
However I begged at evening
When I counted my scanty store.
For Life is a just employer,
He gives you what you ask,
But once you have set the wages,
Why, you must bear the task.
I worked for a menial’s hire,
Only to learn, dismayed,
That any wage I had asked of Life,
Life would have willingly paid.”

Filed Under: Life Coaching, Motivational, People Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Are You In Jail?

January 23, 2013
Are you in jail?

Photo Courtesy of Michael Coghlan

A person doesn’t have to be behind bars to be in jail.  Your jail can be in your own mind.  This is something I learned from Iyanla Vanzant.

When you feel stuck in a situation you always have options.  Take a few minutes to write down what your options are and which one is the key to unlock the cell.  It will not always be an easy key to turn but, in the long run, it can set you free.

Don’t allow your limiting beliefs to hold you back.  Push forward, turn the key, and release yourself.

Filed Under: Life Coaching, Motivational Tagged With: , ,

Rest In Peace Zig Ziglar

November 28, 2012

Zig ZiglarZig Ziglar
1926-2012

“You will get all you want in life, if you help enough other people get what they want.”

Zig certainly helped people get what they want but I would doubt he would say that he helped enough.  He is an inspiration to millions.  I am grateful that I had the opportunity along with my dad to see Zig Ziglar in person about ten years ago.  He was then in his 70s and still full of motivation and had the audience pumped.

The great motivator will continue to inspire generations to come.  I will continue to study his writings and recordings and one day hope to see him at the top.

 

 

Filed Under: Motivational, People Tagged With: , , , ,

You Are What You Say You Are

November 21, 2012
Main Street at Magic Kingdom

When you are a child you are always saying that you are a singer, movie star, or princess. Why do we lose this as adults and start focusing on the negative?

A lot has been written about this and I often wonder how many people pay attention and see how it really does effect their life.  What am I speaking of?  The story you tell yourself.

When you say you are something you tend to become it.  Those that say they are poor tend to be without money.  Why?  Because you head in the direction in which you focus.  If you focus on being poor you will stay poor.  Focus on having money and taking care of your money I know you will have it.  It may not be today or three months from now but try getting up every morning and instead of being broke to the point of being broken change your story.  Tell yourself that you are rich and say out loud the things that you have that make you rich.  Do you have a partner?  Children? A job? A home?

Why is it that as humans we have a hard time telling a good story when we as individuals are the subject?    Instead of “I failed” why not “I learned what not to do”?  When someone asks how you are doing why not respond with “Grateful for another day.”

Zig Ziglar says “A failure is an event not a person.”  Even the great motivator has spoken about it for decades.  The story you tell yourself is a major force in directing your life.  Saying “I am a failure” points you in the direction of failing.  When someone says “How are you?” and you respond with “Worn out”  it makes you fell more tired than before you said it (I am guilty of this).

A lot of people have talked about this but one of the more recent is Pastor Joel Osteen.  I have included his “The Power of ‘I Am'” sermon below.  Take the time and watch through it and take notes:

Filed Under: Life Coaching, Motivational, People Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Overcoming Fears

March 27, 2012

What better way to demonstrate overcoming a fear?

Source: Neatorama

‘Fear’ Image Courtesy of Jimee, Jackie, Tom & Asha

Filed Under: Motivational Tagged With: , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »